Kvitova pulls out of Rogers Cup with lingering forearm injury

World No. 6 Petra Kvitova has pulled out of next week’s Rogers Cup hard-court tournament in Toronto, citing a lingering forearm injury.

“I’m so disappointed to have to withdraw from the Rogers Cup]," [Kvitova announced on Twitter. “My forearm injury is continuing to cause problems so, on the advice of my medical team, I won’t make the trip to Canada.

"I will really miss being in Toronto this year and wish the tournament every success."

Due to the 27-year-old Czech’s withdrawal, three-time champion Serena Williams is now seeded eighth, and will play her opening match on Wednesday night. The 37-year-old won the title in 2001, 2011 and 2013.

Kvitova initially sustained the arm injury before her Roland Garros opener in May, forcing her to withdraw from the clay-court major. She played through the pain at Wimbledon, falling to home favorite Johanna Konta in the fourth round.

Serena is playing her first event since losing to Simona Halep, 6-2, 6-2, in the Wimbledon final.